FESTIVE MEMORIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1938, Page 11

FESTIVE MEMORIES

" LUNCHEON

PAST DAYS RECALLED

Gay paper hats, blazing plum puddings, and community singing made the monthly luncheon of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association, which was held today, a" festive occasion, and the Christmas season was further emphasised by an address by Major F. H. Lampen, D.5.0., on "Soldiers' Christmas." The president of the association (Lieut-Colonel A. Cowles, V.D.) presided and returned soldiers were present from suburbs as far afield as Upper Hutt Approximately 175 were present. ■ ' ' Starting with the Crusades, Major Lampen said that soldiers going to the Holy Land were not allowed to gamble; that right was reserved for knights and . clergy—(laughter)—and they were not allowed to lose more than £20 per day or night. The clergy had played an important part in military life, and the "padre" was always regarded with affection, even if he was caUed "sky pilot" or "devil dodger." The Germans called their padre "anti-sin gun." (Laughter.) Major Lampen entertained his audience for a time with humorous stories about padres. In the course of his soldiering career he had been in a number of places in the Empire. As a junior subaltern he had been made orderly officer on Christmas Day in India, and he had inspected the men's quarters. There were eleven messes, and lie. had been required to take the fit-st glass of wine and the first beer at each, and after he had done that he had kept a regimental tradition by. drinking the health of the guard. Jn the following day the adjutant had told him that if he still wanted to make soldiering his career he should not call the colonel "My dear old man." (Laughter.) * ."•.". Major Lampen said his next Christmas had been on Anderman Island;* which was used as a penal settlement- There was an earthquake which broke down walls and allowed the prisoners to escape. The warders fired on them and the "overs", went into the town and consequently Christmas Day was not' an enjoyable one. CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN. The Russo-Japanese War of 1904 was the venue" of the next Christmas and it that time Major Lampen had been in hospital in Japan. He had attempted to celebrate with sake but gave the bottle away and was content with a bottle of beer brewed by a German firm in Japan. He had visited the Kobe Club later where he met his first New Zealander, a Taranaki man.' Major Lampen said his most lonely Christmas had been spent in Wellington. He arrived in New Zealand on Christmas Eve and had spent part of Christmas Day searching for accommodation. He had visited the Botanical Gardens and the top of the hill at Kelburn, where he read a newspaper. He returned to his .lodgings for tea. and then went to the Basin Reserve, where every seat had its couple. "Ye gods," he said, "I never felt so lonely before." Before the. day ended, however, he met a man from his home country and they made up for lost opportunities on the following day. A vote of thanks to the speaker was moved, by the Hon. V. A. Ward, M.L.C., who also expressed the thanks of members to the executive for arranging the luncheons and to thos; who provided musical items.

Colonel Cowles, on behalf of the executive, wished members of the association a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.